Shutdown forces Overton residents from homes

The closure of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area forced dozens of Overton residents from their homes. (FOX5)

OVERTON, NV (FOX5) -

As the government shutdown drags on, problems continue to mount in southern Nevada.

In Overton, dozens of residents were forced to leave their homes and the shutdown is to blame.

Behind a roadblock near Stewart's Point in Overton sits 27 homes. While the affected residents own those homes, the National Park Service owns the land, which is leased by homeowners.

The land is part of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

The road that leads to their homes was closed, leaving them with no way in or out. The problem is affecting businesses there as well.

"They said it was like this in 1995, but when they shut down the government for 21 days, they never shut the road down, they never told us to leave or anything," homeowner Joyce Spencer said.

Park rangers on Wednesday told Spencer she had 24 hours to pack up and get out.

"I'm no spring chicken anymore, and you know, I couldn't think straight. I was so frustrated I just couldn't think," Spencer said.

Spencer and her family run nearby restaurant Inside Scoop. Spencer's son-in-law, Chris Cook, works at the popular eatery. Not only is he worried about his aging parents, he says the family relies on visitors for income. With the park shut down, the family could be hurting.

"By the first of November, when the snowbirds and the veterans' parade and all of that stuff is going on, it's really going to hurt us then," Cook said. "We may not get them. They may decide to stay home or go other places."